US3280908A - Apparatus for underwater drilling and well completion - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1966 L. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 FIG; 1

l3 Sheets$heet l INVENTOR WILLIAM L.TODD

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z TIEI EA so 65 29 I I I I l I I I II 1I I 5 t I I XI I 84\ l II "I I 84 I I 340 319m g 338 86 I I 86 I I l I I I 7'2 40 I I .I it I II I as I II 88 I III I; I I i i I 28/ III 1 I W I, v

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INVENTOR WILLIAM L. TODD ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 F'IG EB INVENTOR WILLIAM L.TODD

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPL ETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 90 7O Hi! 148 as, v e2 INVENTOR 6O WILLIAM L. TODD sYM W' ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. 1.. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Zs- E' 29 I F -ZOO IH: II l 9o [[1 H ll l| 5k 92 INVENTOR 35 I WILLIAM L. TODD N 1 7 60 BY /W/@ZJ ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 1-3 Sheets-Sheet 6F'II3 2E 122 so 35 1 W INVENTOR WILLIAM L. TODD ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIE-2F INVENTOR WILLIAM L TODD BY W a W- ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 n so 148 ill! I lNVENTOR s WILLIAM L.TDD

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. r000 3,280,908

' APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets Sheet 9 36 INVENTOR 7O WILLIAM L.TODD

F I E l BY/ww W ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L? TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet l0 Fl5J3 7O 62 INVENTOR WILLIAM L.TODD

60 BY W14 ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. L. TODD 3,230,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 r jm CW as H NW I I ookofir N NNNN p k9 SS 3 m INVENTOR WILLIAM L T ODD ATTORNEY W. L. TODD Oct. 25, 1966 APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION l3 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed May 21, 1962 INVENTOR WILLIAM L.TODD

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 w. TODD 3,280,908

APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION Filed May 21, 1962 13 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR WILLIAM L. TODD BY M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,280,908 APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION William L. Todd, Houston, Tex., assignor to FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 21, 1962, Ser. No. 196,222 8 Claims. (Cl. 166-.6)

The present invention pertains to wells and more particularly to apparatus for drilling and working on underwater wells.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used in connection with wells under any kind of water, whether marine or fresh, but to simplify the description of the invention, the apparatus is described herein as being used in an ocean.

Offshore drilling has heretofore been principally accomplished from stationary platform structures erected at, or towed to, an offshore location and there rigidly anchored to the underwater formation. Of necessity these structures are massively built and, as a consequence, are cumbersome and costly both in initial fabrication and in transport. Recently, techniques of drilling from a floating vessel have been developed to a point where in many circumstances platform drilling can be replaced.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide apparatus whereby an underwater well can be drilled from a floating or other type platform at or above the surface of the water, and a well head completion assembly installed adjacent the ocean floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well installation wherein the casing head for the well is located adjacent the ocean floor, and wherein means are provided whereby a rigid cluster, comprising a conductor tube for the drill pipe and all of the control lines necessary to the drilling operation, may be lowered from the surface and releasably attached to the casing head adjacent the ocean floor without requiring the services of a diver.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel spear type of conduit connection to enable the several fluid conducting conduits necessary to the drilling operation to be connected to the flow passages of a casing head located adjacent the ocean floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel fluid actuated clamp mechanism adapted for use in clamping the drilling pipe conductor tube to the upper end of the casing head which is located adjacent the ocean floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drill pipe conductor tube and the necessary conduits for controlling the blowout preventers and the other assemblies incidental to the drilling operation which tube and conduits are made up in a cluster formed of prefabricated sections which may be easily connected together to provide a drill pipe conductor and control line cluster of indeterminate length.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation of an underwater well installation incorporating apparatus embodying the present invention, which apparatus includes a floating drilling barge and the necessary connections between said barge and a well head located adjacent the ocean floor for conducting drilling operations.

FIGS. 2A through 2F taken together form a composite enlarged elevation with certain parts being broken away, of the apparatus of FIG. 1 starting from the bottom end thereof, and working up, since this is the order in which the various assemblies would be installed during a drilling operation.

3,280,908 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the conductor tube and control cluster.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3 and illustrates the coupling between adjacent sections of a tube and conduit cluster.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on a plane at a position indicated by line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal diametric section through a slip joit incorporated in the tube and conduit cluster and is taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2D.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of a clamp mechanism, also shown in FIG. 2A, for clamping the lower end of the conductor tube to the upper end of the casing head.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section primarily illustrating a hydraulic actuator for the clamp mechanism and is taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a section taken on a plane at a position indicated by line 1010 of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar longitudinal diametric sections through a spear-type coupling joint, also shown in FIG. 2A, for coupling various conduits to the casing head, FIG. 11 being shown with the coupling spear withdrawn, and FIG. 12 being shown with the coupling spear extended.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a floating barge 10 (FIG. 1) having aderrick 11 mounted thereon. The barge is provided with avertical opening 14 extending therethrough. Anequipment deck 16 bridges theopening 14 and adrilling platform 18, having the usual rotary table 20, is mounted on thederrick 11 above thedeck 16.

In the initial phase of drilling a well, according to the present invention, thebarge 10 is anchored over the desired spot and a drill pipe, not shown, having a collapsible bit, of the underreamer type, at its lower end, is lowered through the rotary table 20 and theopening 14 of thebarge 10 until the bit rests on theocean floor 21. The rotary table is then rotated to actuate the bit to drill a suitable bore for a surface orsupport casing 22. During this phase of the drilling, sea water is circulated through the drill pipe and the bit without return.

When the bore in theocean floor 21 is deep enough to receive thesupport casing 22, the rotary table 20 is stopped and the drill pipe, not shown, is raised until the bit is just within the top of the bore. The support casing is then stripped over the drill pipe and lowered using the drill pipe as a guide. When the surface casing length equals the depth of the bore, acasing head 26, having threecable anchor assemblies 28 afiixed thereto at points spaced 120 from each other, is aflixed to the upper end of the casing. Thesupport casing 22 is then lowered into the bore until thecasing head 26 is adjacent the ocean floor.Cables 29, fixed to thecable anchor assemblies 28 extend upwardly to thebarge 10, and each is secured thereto by a suitable constant tension device (not shown) which will maintain a constant tension on the cable while permitting movement of thedrilling barge 10 relative thereto in response to either wave or tidal action. The lower end of each of thecables 29 is fixed to a centering cylinder 40 (FIG. 2A) which is part of thecable anchor assembly 28 and which has a tapered upper end portion.

Thecasing head 26 is provided with a plurality of laterally extending conduits 30 (FIGS. 2A, 11 and 12) which are turned upwardly at their outer ends and terminate in upwardly facing female coupling members orreceptacles 32. Thefemale coupling members 32 are clustered about the upper end of thecasing head 26 in a predetermined pattern, and each is is adapted to receive therein amale coupling member 66 in a manner described hereinbelow. The coupling members provide fluid communication with the several flow passageways between casings and between the innermost casing and the well tubings not shown but ultimately installed in the well. Each of theconduits 30 is provided with a hydraulically or electrically actuatedvalve 34 to control flow therethrough.

As soon as thesupport casing 22 is completely lowered, the drill pipe, not shOWn, is removed, and thesupport casing 22 is cemented in place by any of the usual cementing techniques.

After thesupport casing 22 with thecasing head 26 thereon and theguide assemblies 28 fixed thereto has been installed, a drilling assembly, comprising a lowerhydraulic clamp mechanism 56, ablowout preventer group 50, 52, and 54, and a sectionalized tube and conduit cluster generally indicated at 35, is assembled at the barge and lowered along theguide cables 29 until theclamp mechanism 56 is in position to be clamped to thecasing head 26. The drilling assembly also includes a ball joint 58 connected in a drillpipe conductor tube 60 and an upperhydraulic clamp mechanism 61 releasably interconnecting separable sections of thetube 60 between the ball joint and theuppermost blowout preventer 54.

Thecluster 35 includes a plurality ofsatellite conduits 62 clustered about theconductor tube 60 and fixed thereto. Certain of theconduits 62 are connected by suitableflexible conductors 64 to theblowout preventers 50, 52 and 54, and other conduits are connected by suitableflexible conductors 64 to a series of themale coupling members 66 clustered about thelower clamp mechanism 56. Thecoupling members 66 unite with the previously mentionedfemale coupling members 32 of thecasing head 26. Themale coupling members 66 are fixed about theclamp mechanism 56 in accordance with a predetermined fixed pattern corresponding to the arrangement of thefemale coupling members 32 about thecasing head 26, so that when theclamp mechanism 56 is properly oriented, each of themale coupling members 66 registers with its associatedfemale coupling members 32. In actual practice, in order to minimize tolerance requirements, the subsequently described male member 240 (FIG. 11) is preferably received into thecounterbore 242 before themale coupling members 66 enter thefemale members 32.

Thecluster 35 further includes a plurality of hydraulic and electric conductors 70 (FIGS. 2C, 2D and 3) which are clustered in bundles interspersed between theconduits 62 clustered about theconductor tube 60. Some of thehydraulic conductors 70 are connected by flexible connectors (not shown) tohydraulic control conduits 72 on theseveral blowout preventers 50, 52, 54, respectively. Others of the hydraulic andelectrical conductors 70 are grouped into a cable 74 (FIG. 2A) and are connected to onemember 76 of adisconnect coupling unit 77. Themember 76 is fixed with respect to theclamp mechanism 56 and is adapted to unite with another coupling member 78 of thecoupling unit 77. The coupling member 78 is mounted in fixed position on thecasing head 26. Couplingunit 77 hydraulically connects thevalves 34 in theseveral conduits 30, and electrically connects pressure-responsive instruments (not shown) in theseconduits 30, to theconduits 70 of thecluster 35.

Three spider frames 80, 82 and 84 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) are fixed one to theuppermost blowout preventer 54, one to theintermediate blowout preventer 52, and one to theclamp mechanism 56, respectively. These three spider frames 80, 82 and 84 support three vertically disposed guide sleeves 86 (only two of which are shown), each of which slidably embraces one of theguide cables 29. The lower end of eachsleeve 86 is enlarged and terminally flared outwardly, as indicated at 88, to cooperate with thecylinders 40 to properly orientate theclamp mechanism 56 and theblowout preventers 50, 52 and 54 so that themale coupling members 66 and 76 will register with thefemale coupling members 32 and 78, respectively, when the assembly is lowered into contact with thecasing head 26.

Thecluster 35, comprising theconductor tube 60, with itssatellite conduits 62 and the hydraulic andelectrical conductors 70, is made up in a series of identicalprefabricated sections 36 connected together by gang coupling units 90 (FIGS. 2C, 2D and 3) more fully described hereinbelow.

Near the surface of the water, aspecial cluster section 92 is installed in thecluster 35. Thisspecial section 92 has thesame conduits 62 and hydraulic andelectrical conductors 70 as do the other sections and, in addition, carries afloatation tank 94 which is fixed to thecluster section 92. Thetank 94 carries three sleeves 96 (only two of which are shown), at three equally spaced points about its periphery, which sleeves slidably embrace theguide cables 29. Two conduits 98 connect thetank 94 to two of theconductors 70 at thenext gang coupling 90 thereabove to permit the introduction of either liquid or compressed air to the tank to change the buoyancy of the tank. The buoyancy is so adjusted that thetank 94 supports the weight of thesections 36 of thecluster 35 therebeneath.

The upper end of thespecial cluster section 92 is connected by agang coupling 90 FIG. 2D) to the lower end of a slip joint assembly 100 (FIGS. 2D and 6). The slipjoint assembly 100 comprises a central slipjoint assembly 102 connected to thetube 60 and a plurality of satellite slipjoint assemblies 104. The hydraulic andelectric conductors 70 of thecluster section 92 are connected by thegang coupling 90 to a plurality offlexible conductors 106 which bypass the slipjoint asesmbly 100 and extend upwardly through thedeck 16 of thebarge 10. Theconductors 106 are supported by constant tension assemblies 108 (FIG. 2F) supported from thederrick platform 18 so that a constant tension is maintained on theflexible conductors 106 while permitting movement of the barge relative thereto in response to either wave or tidal action.

The lower, relatively stationary portion of the slip joint assembly 100 (FIG. 2D) is provided with aspider 110 which carriessleeves 112 which slidably embrace theguide cables 29. Similarly, the upper movable portion of the slipjoint assembly 100 is provided with aspider 114 which carriessleeves 116 which slidably embrace theguide cables 29. The upper portion of the slipjoint assembly 100 is connected by agang coupling unit 90a to acluster section 118. Thesection 118 extends through and is supported on theequipment deck 16 of thebarge 10 by a suitable slip assembly 120 (FIG. 2E). Thecoupling unit 90a is similar to thegang couplings 90 with the exception that no provision is made for the hydraulic andelectrical conductors 70 or 106. Similarly, thecluster section 118 is similar to theother cluster sections 36 of thecluster 35 with the exception that there are no hydraulic or electrical conductors, as 70 or 106, incorporated therein.

It is to be understood that the slip join assembly 100 (FIG. 2D) can be omitted and that flexible connections can extend from thecoupling 90 to thedrilling barge 10.

Above the equipment deck 16 (FIG. 2E), the upper ends of theconduits 62 are connected bysuitable conduits 122 which extend laterally from thecluster 35 to connect theseveral conduits 62 to their proper respective control devices (not shown). Similarly, the upper ends of theflexible conductors 106 are connected to their proper control devices (not shown). The upper end of the conductor tube 60 (FIG. 2F) is provided with a laterally extendingconduit 124 which empties into a suitable mud tank 126 (FIG. 1).

After thecluster 35 has been installed, adrill pipe 130, including well-known bumper subs, not shown, to compensate for vertical movement of the ship, can be lowered through the rotary table 20, theconductor tube 60, thecasing head 26 and thesupport casing 22 to continue drilling of the well in the normal manner. Similarly, the installation of additional casing, such as 131, and of the production tubing (not shown) may be accomplished through theconductor tube 60. If for any reason, such as an approaching storm, it is desired to vacate the site, thedrill pipe 130 can be withdrawn through theconductor tube 60, the upperhydraulic clamp mechanism 61 can be actuated to release thecluster 35 from theblowout preventers 50, 52 and 54 and thecasing head 26, and the entire drilling assembly can then be raised, eachsection 36 being disconnected as it is raised by means of the gang couplings 90. Theguide cables 29 are then attached to a floating buoy, not shown, and the site can be vacated. At a later time when it is desired to resume operations, the buoy is recovered, theguide cables 29 are properly connected to thedrilling barge 10, and thecluster 35 is again installed in the manner described above.

Returning now to a more detailed discussion of thecluster 35 and itssections 36, each of the gang couplings 90 comprises a pair ofcompanion radial flanges 140 and 142 (FIG. 4) formed one on each of the adjacent ends of eachsection 36 of theconductor tube 60. The peripheral edge of theflange 140 is threaded as indicated at 144. Theflange 142 is stepped at 146 and anut 148 is rotatably mounted thereon, and is adapted to engage thethreads 144 on theflange 140. A sealingring 150 is mounted in anannular groove 152 in the end face of theflange 140 and abuts the end face of theflange 142.

A plurality ofbores 154 are formed in theflange 140 at circumferentially spaced points about the axis of theconductor tube 60, and similar matching bores 156 are formed in theflange 142. The ends of the sections of theconduits 62 are fixed to these bores. Similarly, smaller diameter bores (not shown) are provided in theflanges 140 and 142, between thebores 154 and 156, to which thehydraulic conductors 70 are connected. Each of the bores in each of theflanges 140 and 142 is counter-bored to receivecoupling nipples 160, 162, and 164- of appropriate size. The nipples have suitable sealing rings, as 161 and 163 on their outer surfaces. Thecoupling nipple 160 is shown for thetube 60, thecouplings 162 are for theconduits 62, and the couplings 164 (FIG. 5) are for theconductors 70. While only twohydraulic conductors 70 are illustrated between each pair ofadjacent conduits 62, it should be understood that many more may be provided if needed to perform the necessary control functions.

One of the matching pairs ofbores 154 and 156, and thecoupling 162a (FIG. 5) therein, is spaced outwardly from the center of theconductor tube 60 further than the remainder of the bores, thus providing that thecoupling 90 can only be assembled in one position.

Each of the mating faces of theflanges 140 and 142 is recessed as indicated at 170 and 172, respectively. These recesses completely surround all of thecoupling nipples 160, 162 and 164. A drilledpassageway 174 in theflange 142 provides communication to therecesses 170 and 172. After thecoupling 90 has been made up, pressure fluid is applied to therecesses 170 and 172 through thepassageway 174. If any of theseveral coupling nipples 160, 162 and 164 are leaking, there will be a pressure drop. If there is no pressure drop, then all of the several pipes and conduits are correctly joined without leaks.

The slip joint assembly 100 (FIGS. 2D and 6), as mentioned above, comprises a central slip joint 102 surrounded by a plurality of satellite slip joints 104. The central slipjoint assembly 102 comprises anouter tube 180 within which aninner tube 182 is slidably mounted. Apacking gland 184 is mounted in the upper end of thetube 180 in sliding sealing engagement with the outer surface of thetube 182. Thetube 180 is connected by acoupling 186 to the section of theconductor tube 60 fixed to thegang coupling 90 immediately beneath the slip joint 100. Similarly, the upper end of thetube 182 is connected by 6 a coupling 188 (FIG. 2D) to the section of theconductor tube 60 connected to the gang coupling assembly a immediately above the slipjoint assembly 100.

Each satellite slipjoint assembly 104 comprises anouter tube 190 having aninner tube 192 slidably received therein. Apacking gland 194 mounted in the upper end of thetube 190 provides sliding sealing engagement between thetubes 190 and 192. The lower end of each of thetubes 190 is connected by aflexible conduit 196 to the appropriate opening in theflange 142 of thegang coupling 90 immediately beneath the slipjoint assembly 100. Similarly, the upper end of each of thetubes 192 is connected by a flexible conduit 198 (FIG. 2D) to the flange of thecoupling 90a immediately above the slipjoint assembly 100.

All of theouter tubes 190 and the tube are con nected together for conjoint movement by aclamp 200. Similarly, all of theinner tubes 192 and thetube 182 are connected together for conjoint movement by aclamp 202, whereby all of the slip joints 102 and 104 act together as a unitary slipjoint assembly 100.

The hydraulically actuatedclamp mechanism 56 for clamping the tube andconduit cluster 35 to thecasing head 26 is best illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 and comprises atubular member 240 having a lower end adapted to be slidably received within a counterbore 242 (FIG. 8) at the upper end of thecasing head 26. A plurality of packing rings 244 are mounted on the lower end of the tubular member and engage the wall of thecounterbore 242 in sealing engagement therewith to prevent leakage between thetubular member 240 and thecasing head 26. The upper end of thecasing head 26 and thetubular member 240 are provided with outwardly projectingmating radial flanges 246 and 248, respectively (FIG. 8). A vertical hinge pin 250 (FIG. 7) is mounted on abracket 252 fixed to thetubular member 240, and two opposedsemicircular clamp elements 254 and 256 are pivotally mounted on thehinge pin 250. Theclamp elements 254 and 256 are C-shaped in cross-section (FIG. 8) and are adapted to embrace themating radial flanges 246 and 248. Twoupstanding posts 258 and 260 (FIG. 9) are mounted on the ends of theclamp elements 254 and 256, respectively, opposite the hinged ends thereof. Each of theposts 258 and 260 is provided adjacent its upper end with spacedradial flanges 262 and 264 (FIG. 7) which slidably embrace spacedhorizontal fianges 266 and 268 on a support and guidebracket assembly 270. Theclamp elements 254 and 256 are provided with dependingskirts 272 and 274 which flare outwardly at their lower ends to guide the clamp elements over theflange 246 of thecasing head 26 as the clamp mechanism is lowered into engagement therewith.

The end of theclamp element 254 away from thehinge pin 250 is bifurcated and provided with vertically spacedjournal bosses 282 and 284 (FIG. 9). The pivot pins 286 and 288, respectively, are mounted in thebosses 282 and 284 and pivotally support a horizontally disposed double actingpower cylinder 290 at one of its ends. Apiston 292 is slidably received within thepower cylinder 290. Apiston rod 294, connected to thepiston 292, projects through said one end of thepower cylinder 290. The outer end of therod 294 is formed into aneye 296 received between opposed bosses 298 and 300 on theother clamp element 256. A stepped vertically disposedpin 302 projects through correspondingly stepped bores in the bosses 298 and 300 and theeye 296 of thepiston rod 294. Thepin 302 is retained in place by afrangible cap screw 304 which projects through a suitable opening in the upper Egss 300 and is threaded into the upper end of the pin Normal opening and closing of theclamp elements 254 and 256 is effected by movement of thepiston 292 within thepower cylinder 290 by the suitable application of fluid pressure to one end or the other thereof throughconduits 310 and 312. Theconduits 310 and 312 are connected to certain of thehydraulic conductors 70 of thecluster 35 described above.

In the event that thepower cylinder 290 cannot be actuated to effect release of theclamp mechanism 56, thepin 302 has alower piston end 314 slidably received within avertical cylinder 316 fixed to the lower bOSs 298 on theclamp element 256. By applying pressure to thecylinder 316 through aconduit 318, connected to one of thehydraulic conductors 70 of thecluster 35, thepin 302 may be forced downward breaking thefrangible cap screw 304 and releasing thepiston rod 294 from theclamp element 256. Asnap ring 317 is installed in agroove 318 in the lower end of thecylinder 316 to prevent thepin 362 from coming out of the lower end of the cylinder.

A lock assembly indicated generally at 319 is provided to retain thepiston 292 in its adjusted position adjacent the outward end of thecylinder 290 when theclamp mechanism 56 is closed. The lock assembly comprises acylindrical extension 320 formed integral with thepiston 292 and projecting through acylinder head 322 at the outward end of thecylinder 290. The outer end of theextension 320 has a counterbore 324, and alock rod 326 is slidably received in the counterbore. The end of thelock rod 326 within the counterbore 324 has aflange 328, and acap 330 screwed onto the end of theextension 320 retains the flange of therod 326 within the counterbore 324. A key 332 fixed to thecap 330 slides in a keyway 334 in therod 326 and prevents rotation of the rod relative to theextension 320. Therod 326 is threaded on its outer surface and is received within an internally threaded, rotatingtubular armature 336 of areversible fluid motor 338 which is mounted on abracket 340 fixed to thecylinder head 322.

In order to open theclamp mechanism 56, fluid is supplied to themotor 338 through conduit 342, which is connected to one of the above mentionedhydraulic conductors 70, to rotate thearmature 336 and cause thelock rod 326 to move to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9, to the bottom of the counterbore 324. Thecylinder 290 is then actuated to move thepiston 292 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9, to open theclamp mechanism 56.

To close theclamp mechanism 56, thecylinder 290 is actuated to move thepiston 292 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 9, to bring the twoclamp elements 254 and 256 toward each other to embrace themating flanges 246 and 248 on thecasing head 26 and thetubular member 240, respectively. Fluid pressure is then applied to thefluid motor 338 throughconduit 344, which is connected to another of theconductors 70, to rot-ate thearmature 336 in the opposite direction and move thelock rod 326 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 9, until theflange 323 contacts the inside of the cap330. Thepiston 292 is now firmly locked in its clamp closed position even if pressure is relieved from thecylinder 290. In the event that thelock rod 326 cannot be released, or if thecylinder 290 cannot be actuated to release theclamp mechanism 56, emergency release can be effected by releasing thepin 302 in the manner described above.

One of the spear-typemale coupling members 66 for effecting connection of theconduits 65 to thefemale coupling members 32 of the lateral conduits '30 in thecasing head 26 is best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thefemale coupling member 32 is screwed into the end of the upwardly facing portion of theconduit 30 and carries at its lower end aflapper valve 350 adapted to close the passageway throughconduit 30. The upper end of thefemale coupling member 32 is beveled downwardly and inwardly, as indicated at 352, to facilitate the entry of the male coupling member orspear 66 thereinto.

The male coupling member orspear 66 has a plurality of sealingelements 354 mounted on its peripheral surface adjacent its lower end adapted to seal against the inner wall of thefemale coupling member 32 when inserted therein. Themale coupling member 66 is mounted on the lower end of atubular mandrel 356 which is provided adjacent its mid-portion with aperipheral flange 358 which in effect is a piston slidably received within apower cylinder 360. Thepower cylinder 360 is carried by atubular housing 362 which in turn is mounted on abracket 364 fixed to thetubular member 240 of the hydraulically actuatedclamp mechanism 56. There is flexibility in the connection of thehousing 362 to thebracket 364 so as to facilitate fitting of eachmale coupling member 66 into its associatedfemale member 32 when such members are not initially aligned. The upper end of themandrel 356 projects through the upper end of thepower cylinder 360 into thehousing 362. The upper end of thehousing 362 is connected by one of the previously mentioned flexible conductors 65 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) to one of theconduits 62 of thecluster 35. Aconduit 366 connects thepower cylinder 360 with one of theconductors 70 of thecluster 35.

Aspring finger 370 fixed to thepower cylinder 360 releasa-bly engages asmall depression 372 on themale coupling member 66 when the member is in its uppermost position to releasably retain said member in that position. A spring presseddetent 374 is mounted in the lower end of thepower cylinder 360 and is adapted to be received within anannular groove 376 formed in the outer surface of themandrel 356, when said mandrel is in its lowermost position.

During the installation of the drilling assembly, including theclamp mechanism 56, blowout preventer group 5054, andcluster 35, theclamp mechanism 56 is clamped to the upperend of thecasing head 26 before thecoupling members 66 are projected through theflapper valves 350. Before such clamping, however, substantial alignment of themale coupling member 66 with the properfemale coupling member 32 is effected by the centering action of thecylinders 40 of thecable anchor assemblies 28 on the flared ends '88 on theguide sleeves 86 and by fitting thetubular member 240 into thecasing head 26. After the mechanism is clamped, pressure fluid is applied to thepower cylinder 360 through theconduit 366 to move themandrel 356 and themale coupling member 66 downwardly into sealed relation in thefemale coupling member 32 until thedetent 374 engages thegroove 376. The downward movement of themale coupling member 66 pushes theflapper valve 350 to its open position, as illustrated in FIG. 12. It is to be noted that although the length and location of themale member 66 in FIGS. 11 and 12 are such that the male members enter the female members "32 before themechanism 56 is clamped, an alternative construction dimensions these parts so that the male members do not enter the female members until after themechanism 56 is clamped and then, by applying pressure, the male members align themselves with the female members, enter thereinto, and open the flapper valves.

From the fore-going description it may be seen that the apparatus provides a sectionalizied drill pipe conductor tube and conduit cluster, a hydraulic lamp mechanism and a conduit coupling which facilitates quick disconnection from the well casing head in the event of storm or other hazard, and permits reconnection for continued drilling after the danger is past.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described therein, it should be noted that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described that which is believed to be new, and for which protection by Letters Patent is desired is:

1. In a well installation including a platform and a casing head positioned at a relatively inaccessible location below said platform, apparatus extending between said platform and said casing head for guiding and controlling well operations from a station on said platform comprising a rigid tube cluster including a plurality of sections interconnected in end-to-end relation, each section including a central pipe receiving conduct-or and a plurality of satellite flow tubes fixed closely about said central conductor in parallel relation thereto, each section also having upper and lower ends, there being an uppermost section having its upper end extending through said platform, means releasably interconnecting adjacent upper and lower ends of adjacent sections with their respective conduct'ors and tubes in communication, said interconnecting means joining one pair of sections for axially adjustable movement relative to each other, there also being a lowermost section, means releasably interconnecting said lowermost section and said casing head including a fluid actuated clamp having clamping segments mounted for movement between a clamping position engaging said ca'sing head and an unclamped position released from said casing head and a fluid powered device connected to said clamp, and means establishing fluid connection between said device and selected tubes in said sections whereby said clamp can be actuated from said platform.

2. In an underwater well installation, a casing head located adjacent the ocean floor, flexible guide means connected to said' casing head and extending upwardly to the water surface, a blowout preventer assembly, means for releasably connecting said blowout preventer assembly to the upper end of said casing head, means on said blowout preventer assembly embracing said guide means, a drilling pipe conductor tube and control conduit cluster comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation, the lowermost section of said cluster being connected to the upper end of said blowout preventer assembly, said cluster having a central tube and a plurality of satellite conduits rigidly aflixed thereto about the outer surface thereof and a plurality of conductors clustered between said satellite conduits and fixed to said conductor tube, a floatation tank fixed to one of the sections of said cluster to buoyantly support the weight of the sections therebeneath, a slip joint assembly in said conductor tube and control line cluster above said floatation tank, a floating platform, and means for supporting the portion of said cluster above said slip joint from said floating platform.

3. In an underwater well installation, a casing head located adjacent the ocean floor, flexible guide means connected to said casing head and extending upwardly to the water surface, a blowout preventer assembly, means for releasably connecting said blowout preventer assembly to the upper end of said casing head, means on said blowout preventer assembly embracing said guide means, a drilling pipe conductor tube and control conduit cluster comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-toend relation, the lowermost section of said cluster being connected to the upper end of said blowout preventer as sembly, said cluster having a central tube and a plurality of satellite conduits rigidly aflixed thereto about the outer surface thereof and a plurality of conductors clustered between said satellite conduits and fixed to said conductor tube, a floatation tank fixed to one of the sections of said cluster to buoyantly support the weight of the sections therebeneath, a slip joint assembly in said conductor tube and control line cluster above said floatation tank, said slip joint assembly comprising a central slip joint for said conductor tube and a plurality of satellite slip joints one for each of said conduits, a floating platform, and means for supporting the portion of said cluster above said slip joint from said floating platform.

4. In an underwater well installation, a casing head located adjacent the ocean floor, flexible guide means connected to said casing head and extending upwardly to the water surface, a blowout preventer assembly, means for releasably connecting said blowout preventer assembly to the upper end of said casing head, means on said blowout preventer assembly embracing said guide means, a drilling pipe conductor tube and control conduit cluster comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-to-end relation, the lowermost section of said cluster being connected to the upper end of said blowout preventer assembly, said cluster having a central tube and a plurality of satellite conduits rigidly aflixed thereto about the outer surface thereof, a plurality of female coupling members fixed to said casing head in a predetermined pattern thereabout and in fluid communication therewith, a plurality of male coupling members fixed to said means for connecting the blow-out preventer assembly to said casing head in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said female coupling members, said casing head, connecting means, guide means, and embracing means cooperating to effect alignment of corresponding male and female coupling members whereby coupling of the several male coupling members with the associated female coupling members will automatically be effected when said blowout preventer assembly is connected to said casing head, and conduit means for connecting each of said male coupling members with one of said satellite conduits in said cluster.

5. In an underwater well installation, a casing head located adjacent the ocean floor, flexible guide means connected to said casing head and extending upwardly to the water surface, a blowout preventer assembly, means for releasably connecting said blowout preventer assembly to the upper end of said casing head, means on said blowout preventer assembly embracing said guide means, a drilling pipe conductor tube and control conduit cluster comprising a plurality of sections connected in end-toend relation, the lowermost section of said cluster being connected to the upper end of said blowout preventer assembly, said cluster having a central tube and a plurality of satellite conduits rigidly affixed thereto about the outer surface thereof, a plurality of female coupling members fixed to said casing head in a predetermined pattern thereabout and in fluid communication therewith, a plurality of male coupling members fixed to said means for con necting the blowout preventer assembly to said casing head in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said female coupling members, said casing head, connecting means, guide means, and embracing means cooperating to effect alignment of corresponding male and female coupling members whereby coupling of the several male coupling members with the several female coupling members will automatically be effected when said blowout preventer assembly is connected to said casing head, and conduit means for connecting each of said male coupling members with one of said satellite conduits in said cluster, a floation tank fixed to one of the sections of said cluster to buoyantly support the weight of the sections therebeneath, a slip joint assembly in said cluster above said floatation tank, said slip joint assembly comprising a central slip joint for said conductor tube and a plurality of satellite slip joints one for each of said satellite conduits, a floating platform, and means for supporting the portion of said cluster above said slip joint from said floating platform.

6. For use in an underwater well installation, a drill pipe conductor tube and hydraulic control cluster, comprising a plurality of sections, each section having a central relatively large diameter tube having radial flanges adjacent each of its ends, each of said flanges having a plurality of axially extending bores formed therein at points spaced circumferentially about the axis of said large diameter tube, a plurality of pipes rigidly secured to said large diameter tube, each of the opposite ends of each of said pipes being received within one of said bores in one of said flanges and being fixed to said flange, each of said bores and the bore of said central tube being counterbored, a plurality of coupling nipples each received half in a counterbore in one section and half in the associated counterbore of the next adjacent section, and means for connecting one flange of one section to one flange of the next adjacent section.

7. For use in an underwater well installation, a drill pipe conductor tube and hydraulic control cluster, comprising a plurality of sections, each section having a central relatively large diameter tube having radial flanges adjacent each of its ends, each of said flanges having a plurality of axially extending bores formed therein at points spaced circumferentially about the axis of said large diameter tube, a plurality of pipes rigidly secured to said large diameter tube, each of the opposite ends of each of said pipes being received within one of said bores in one of said flanges and being fixed to said flange, each of said bores and the bore of said central tube being counterbored, a plurality of coupling nipples each received half in a counterbore in one section and half in the associated coun-terbore of the adjacent section, the mating faces of said flanges being relieved in the area surrounding said nipples, one of said flanges being provided with a passageway connecting said relieved area with the exterior of said flange, and means for connecting one flange of one section to one flange of the next adjacent section.

8. For use in an underwater well installation, a conduit cluster comprising a plurality of sections, each section including a central tube having a radial flanges adjacent an end thereof, each of said flanges having a bore therethrough, a pipe extending alongside each of said central tubes and secured thereto, each pipe having an end received within the bore in its associated flange, a pipe coupling nipple extending between said flanges and fitted in each of said bores and establishing communication between said pipes, a tube coupling nipple extending between and fitted in each of said tubes and establishing communication between said tubes, and means for connecting said flanges together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Chapman 2185-137 Davis 285-137 Gackenbach 285-137 Biermann et al. 284-137 X Parker 285-137 Meakin 174-47 Wilde 285-415 Con-rad 251-349 Mackal 251-349 Williams et al 166-60 Marzolf 285-415 Bauer et a1. -7 Bauer et al 166-665 Stratton 166-665 X Rhodes et al 166-665 X Hiser et al 166-665 X ONeill et a1 166-665 X Bauer et a1. 166-665 Costa 285-137 X Spade et al 174-47 Poorman 166-665 Haeber 166-665 FOREIGN PATENTS JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 6. FOR USE IN AN UNDERWATER WELL INSTALLATION, A DRILL PIPE CONDUCTOR TUBE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL CLUSTER, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS, EACH SECTION HAVING A CENTRAL RELATIVELY LARGE DIAMETER TUBE HAVING RADIAL FLANGES ADJACENT EACH OF ITS ENDS, EACH OF SAID FLANGES HAVING A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY EXTENDING BORES FORMED THEREIN AT POINTS SPACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID LARGE DIAMETER TUBE, A PLURALITY OF PIPES RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID LARGE DIAMETER TUBE, EACH OF THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF EACH OF SAID PIPES BEING RECEIVED WITHIN ONE OF SAID BORES IN ONE OF SAID FLANGES AND BEING FIXED TO SAID FLANGE, EACH OF SAID BORES AND THE BORE OF SAID CENTRAL TUBE BEING COUNTERBORED, A PLURALITY OF COUPLING NIPPLES EACH RECEIVED HALF IN A COUNTERBORE IN ONE SECTION AND HALF IN THE ASSOCIATED COUNTERBORE OF THE NEXT ADJACENT SECTION, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING ONE FLANGE OF ONE SECTION TO ONE FLANGE OF THE NEXT ADJACENT SECTION.

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